The Human Defence System Flashcards
Pathogen
A pathogen is an organism that causes disease
Immunity
Immunity is the ability to resist infection
General Defence System
The general defence system acts as a barrier to all pathogens attempting to gain entry to the human body
Specific Defence System
The specific defence system attacks particular (or specific) pathogens
Antigen
An antigen is a foreign molecule that stimulates the production of antibodies
Antibody
An antibody is a protein produced by white blood cells (called lymphocytes) in response to a specific antigen
Induced Immunity
Induced immunity is the ability to resist disease caused by specific pathogens by the production of antibodies
Active Immunity
Active immunity involves the production of a person’s own antibodies in response to foreign antigens that enter the body
Natural Active Immunity
Natural active immunity occurs when a pathogen enters the body in the normal way (i.e. when you get an infection)
Artificial Active Immunity
Artificial active immunity occurs when a pathogen is medically introduced into the body
Vaccine
A vaccine is a non disease-causing does of a pathogen (or its toxin), which triggers the production of antibodies
Passive Immunity
Passive immunity occurs when individuals are given antibodies that were formed by another organism
Natural Passive Immunity
Natural passive immunity occurs when a child gets antibodies from its mother
Artificial Passive Immunity
Artificial passive immunity occurs when a person is given an injection containing antibodies made by another organism
Vaccination
Vaccination is the administration (usually by injection) or a non-disease-causing dose of a pathogen (or its toxin) to stimulate the production of antibodies
Immunisation
Immunisation occurs when we produce or are injected with antibodies against a pathogen
Plasma B Cells
Plasma B cells produce antibodies
Memory B Cells
Memory B cells survive for years after the infection is eliminated and can make the specific antibody if the same infection later enters the body
Helper T Cells
Helpter T cells stimulate B cells and killer T cells
Killer T Cells
Killer T cells destroy abnormal human body cells
Suppressor T Cells
Suppressor T cells inhibit the immune response
Memory T Cells
Memory T cells survive for years after the infection is eliminated and can stimulate the specific B cells and killer T cells if the same infection later enters the body
